U.K. Pastor Arrested While Street-Preaching in Watford; Faces Public-Order Probe Over Remarks About Islam

Pastor Steve Maile, a 66-year-old senior pastor at Oasis City Church in Watford and a New Zealand native with more than four decades of ministry experience, says he was arrested while street-preaching on a Watford high street on April 18. Maile told Fox News Digital he was singing and preaching a gospel message when a complaint led to his detention and an ongoing investigation into an alleged public order offence.

According to the Christian Legal Centre, which is supporting Maile, he spoke for about ten minutes and discussed episodes of violence in Islam's history while urging listeners, including Muslims, to accept Jesus. Video first published by Britannia Daily shows Hertfordshire Constabulary officers approaching Maile and placing him in handcuffs. An officer is heard telling Maile he was being arrested on an allegation of assaulting a child; Maile has denied that allegation and police later withdrew the assault claim.

What happened during the arrest

Footage shows Maile continuing to preach after being restrained. He told officers, "You repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you’ll be saved," and denied committing any crime. Maile said he was double-handcuffed and experienced severe pain; he later required wrist splints for three weeks after being handcuffed for about 90 minutes. He also said he was detained for roughly 12 hours without his phone and was not allowed to use a restroom while in custody.

Police response and legal status

A street preacher holds a placard on Oxford Street in London, United Kingdom, on Dec. 1, 2024.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that a man in his 60s was arrested on suspicion of assault and a Section 5 public order offence described as "racially or religiously aggravated disorderly behaviour." The force said the individual was released on bail while the public order investigation continues and that an internal review of officers' conduct "deemed no further action was necessary." The assault allegation was later dropped, and Maile remains under investigation for the public order allegation.

Legal context

Under U.K. law, a Section 5 offence can apply when someone uses threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause "harassment, alarm or distress." Typically this results in a fine, but a charge that is "religiously aggravated" can carry more serious penalties. Maile has said he could face months or even years in prison if convicted under more severe provisions.

Reactions and next steps

The Christian Legal Centre described the arrest as "deeply troubling," saying a peaceful Christian preacher was treated like a serious criminal for expressing his beliefs. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the centre, said the footage raises questions about whether policing is being applied consistently. Maile said he is seeking legal advice while on bail and expects the case could take up to a year to reach a judge.

Maile: "I don't preach hate. I preach the love of God, the mercy of God and the goodness of God in Christ Jesus."

This incident highlights tensions between public-order law and freedom of religious expression in the U.K.; the police say the investigation is ongoing while legal advocates for Maile say the arrest is an example of disproportionate enforcement against public preaching.